Guinea Bissau

Overview

HISTORY

Trachoma prevalence surveys were first conducted in Guinea Bissau by the national program with technical assistance from The Gambia and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2005. Guinea-Bissau began full SAFE implementation for trachoma elimination in 2009. Subsequent surveys in 2013 in Bafata, Farim and Oio regions found TF1-9 prevalence to be below the 5% threshold.

MDAs and other aspects of the SAFE strategy have been supported by Sightsavers, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Red Cross and the UNICEF.

CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS

Seven regions have completed three rounds of treatment with four of them completing impact surveys showing a TF prevalence reduction below the threshold of 5%. Three regions will have concluded their third and final round of MDAs in 2017. Bafata, Farim and Oio regions were scheduled for surveillance surveys and Bijagos, Biombo, Gabu, and SAB were scheduled for impact surveys starting March 2017.